The decision, taken by the council’s Cabinet, follows lengthy negotiations with the Ministry of Justice, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service.

Cambridgeshire County Council has also been involved in the negotiations.

FDC officers have worked on plans for the potential purchase of the land over the past two years, linked to the adjacent Nene Waterfront Regeneration project.

However, in the absence of formal commitments on the way forward from partner organisations, the council has decided the risks involved in buying the land are too great for it to go ahead.

Fenland District Councillor Chris Seaton said: “We have done all in our power to reach agreement on a plan that we believe could have had great benefits for everyone concerned.

“Given the potentially significant costs to the council and with no speedy end to the partner negotiations in sight, we have decided it is time to call a halt. We regret that it has not been possible to reach the agreement we have been seeking.”